Guest curations: Kit Griffiths x Women Make Film

Kit Griffiths is a queer nb artist and filmmaker with 9 years’ experience in gender-explorative work. Their 2019 short ‘Dic Pic’ is a vigorous, humourous and tender self-portrait examining the work of the artist, daily trans-narratives and the radical act of liking yourself. More at www.kitgriffit
hs.com

WATCH DIC PIC ON VIMEO

We asked Kit to kick off our winter programme by, once again, celebrating WOMEN MAKE FILM: A NEW ROAD MOVIE THROUGH CINEMA, directed by Mark Cousins.

Kit has chosen films that are all in WOMEN MAKE FILM

Tomboy – Dir by Céline Sciamma

Lore moves home during the summer holidays, and upon meeting new friends uses the name Michael, deciding to live as a boy, which is a sweet, daring truth, but also to some a lie. It’s such a simple premise, with so many subtle, utterly beautiful details, typical of Sciamma’s work. Although there are consequences to Lore’s ‘lie’, this is in no way the trauma pic that we’re used to with trans-narratives. It’s a real, refreshing gem.

Available with captions on Amazon Prime and Google Play

typical of work. Although there are consequences to Lore’s ‘lie’, this is in no way the trauma pic that we’re used to with trans-narratives. It’s a real, refreshing gem.

Desert Hearts – Dir Donna Deitch

Just stunning. The costume, the scenery, the music, the sex, and the few elements that have dated…they’ve added something rather than taking away – they’ll make you laugh, while as a whole it’s still stunning. Our protagonist finely balances butch/masc energy with diplomatic, youthful ‘femininity’ and the effect is a heartthrob, a grown-up tomboy. Rumour has it that Dietch is currently working on the sequel, so you need to watch this classic immediately.

Available with captions on Amazon Prime and Blu-ray Amazon Prime

of work. Although there are consequences to Lore’s ‘lie’, this is in no way the trauma pic that we’re used to with trans-narratives. It’s a real, refreshing gem.

The Silences of the Palace – Dir Moufida Tlatli

There’s a huge overlap between queer culture and sex work – sex workers are part of the queer family. What’s interesting here is that the protagonist’s mother, who’s a sex worker, is not shamed by the community directly around her, and one of the fellow house workers says of their shared bosses, laughing, “These rich people are jealous of our poverty” – there’s real mirth and so much beauty in this, despite the traumatic elements and certain moments of shame, it’s balanced, nuanced. The up-close, detailed inspection of Patriarchy is just excellent. It’s now one of my absolute favourite films, and I never would have discovered it without Women Make Film.

Available with captions on YouTube

of work. Although there are consequences to Lore’s ‘lie’, this is in no way the trauma pic that we’re used to with trans-narratives. It’s a real, refreshing gem.

On Body and Soul (Hungarian: Testről és lélekről) – Dir by Ildikó Enyedi

Looking here at neurodiversity, in this case Autism with the female lead – this is a love story, it’s hetero, but it is not normative. People who have extra differences in the ways they experience relationships are suffering under normative expectations, too. This film is so beautiful – including some viceral images that you really can’t un-see – it’s a slow burn, but I did cry out in pain at one moment of watching, so it’s a slow burn with its real peaks!

Available with captions on Mubi

of work. Although there are consequences to Lore’s ‘lie’, this is in no way the trauma pic that we’re used to with trans-narratives. It’s a real, refreshing

The Watermelon Woman – Dir Cheryl Dunye

Is it a documentary? A mockumentary? A romantic comedy? It’s doing so many things, on so many levels and layers of fiction and reality, but all of it is true. Dunye talks about “the family” referring to gay people, but there’s also a huge element of the black/PoC family here, while exploring the absence of these incredible characters in whitewashed written history. It’s ambitious, it’s funny, it’s corny and self-aware: it’s essential watching for any lesbian/queer femme/non-binary. So. Many. Beautiful queers on screen, and laugh-out-loud, perfectly delivered lines.

Available with captions on BFI Player

of work. Although there are consequences to Lore’s ‘lie’, this is in no way the trauma pic that we’re used to with trans-narratives. It’s a real, refreshing

Born in Flames – Dir by Lizzie Borden

Lizzie Borden’s Born in Flames was most likely a huge inspiration to Dunye’s film, and it’s also mockumentary, a fantasy of a Woman’s Army, with white male commentators saying with great fear, “The Woman’s Army appears to be dominated by blacks and lesbians.” It’s essential, also humourous watching for activists.

Available with captions on iTunes

of work. Although there are consequences to Lore’s ‘lie’, this is in no way the trauma pic that we’re used to with trans-narratives. It’s a real, refreshing

Tank Girl – Dir Rachel Talalay

While comic-book hero Tank Girl is technically straight, she’s a huge, cult, queer icon. Her boyfriend is a mutant half-kangaroo who cries at poetry (read by Ice-T, of course) and who, unlike his partner Tank Girl, really doesn’t like guns. All the subversions of this film are so fun, colourful, silly, beautiful – as far as apocalyptic watching goes, this is the one that can only make you feel better.

cries at poetry (read by Ice-T, of course) and who, unlike his partner Tank Girl, really doesn’t like guns. All the subversions of this film are so fun, colourful, silly, beautiful – as far as apocalyptic watching goes, this is the one that can only make you feel better.

SPECIAL MENTIONS TO:

The Half Of It – Dir Alice Wu

Available with captions and with AD on Netflix

Disclosure: : Trans Lives on Screen – Dir Sam Feder

Available with captions and with AD on Netflix

XXY – Dir by Lucía Puenzo

Available with captions on BFI Player

Here is Kit and Birds’ Eye View’s Mia Bays discussing the Queer Films (and their importance) which feature in the WOMEN MAKE FILM series (plus you’ll finally find out if Cesar Jently (Kit’s drag king alter ego) ever found Tilda to return her glove to as well!).